The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, finding that there was no evidence of a direct link between these conditions and his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined it is less likely than not that the Veteran's skin cancers were incurred in or caused by service, to include as due to exposure to Agent Orange or sun exposure. The first records of squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are more than 30 years after his separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma skin cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2025
- Citation
- 25006654
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma skin cancer and valvular heart disease with heart valve replacement to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the causal link between the Veteran's service, including exposure to herbicides and asbestos, and his diagnosed conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
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